Mystery death case coroner urged not to rule out poisoning

Court: Russian whistleblower reportedly put on ‘hit list’ prior to fatal collapse while out running

The coroner examining the mysterious death of a wealthy Russian whistleblower has been urged not to “brush away” the possibility he was poisoned.

Alexander Perepilichnyy, 44, collapsed and died while jogging near his home in Weybridge, Surrey, in 2012.

The inquest has heard how the married fatherof-two had appeared on a “hit list” in Moscow before his death.

He had taken out £3.5 million worth of life insurance and applied for another £5 million worth of policies to provide for his family, it has been said.

Around that time, Mr Perepilichnyy had been helping UK-based campaigner Bill Browder’s Hermitage Capital Investment to expose a £142 million moneylaundering operation.

Extensive tests have failed to identify any poison in Mr Perepilichnyy’s body, although experts could not categorically rule out a toxin or even Novichok, which was used in the Salisbury case.

In a closing statement, Bob Moxon Browne QC, for Legal and General, objected to the proposition that poisoning could be ruled more unlikely than the rare sudden adult death syndrome (SADs).

He said “It is certainly not lawful to say poisoning is unlikely and therefore death by SADs is likely.”

Henrietta Hill QC, for Hermitage, called for a full narrative verdict to conclude death was unascertained. She highlighted “significant uncertainty” over tests for poisoning.

Ms Hill told the court there were “at least 10 poisons” that remain possible culprits

John Beggs QC, for Mr Perepilichnyy’s widow Tatiana, called for all the “florid” theories of murder and intrigue be put to bed for the sake of his children.

Peter Skelton QC said it was open to the coroner to conclude Mr Perepilichnyy died of natural causes or his death was unascertained.

The coroner adjourned the inquest to a future date when he will record his verdict.

“It is certainly not lawful to say poisoning is unlikely”

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MYSTERY: Wealthy Alexander Perepilichnyy had taken out £3.5m life insurance